Phillipe looked at me with his bulging eyes.
- Are you saying I'll be a grandfather?
- Yeah. - I sighed taking a break. - Roy and Ravena tried my life so no one would know I was a Lancaster. I was forced to stay hidden and fake my death for the protection of my sisters, especially Aideen. When I found out that he intended to use Aileen to get a settlement with the English court, I was forced to marry Alec and reveal myself to my sisters.
- Deal? What deal? - Phillipe fired curiously. - There was no deal on my desk.
- Because it wasn't addressed to you, but to your cousin.
- What's that? What's that? Are you talking about conspiracy?
- Yeah. - I paused to breathe. - A few months ago Ravenna decided to marry her middle daughter to your cousin. My sister managed to escape, but was chased by men dressed in English armor. She was rescued by Bruce MacCalister, Duke of Duvengar.
I saw Phillipe's expression change again. He looked at me with incredulous expression.
- I did not deploy troops to invade Scotland, let alone know of my cousin's marriage to a Scottish woman.
- Alistair knows this and we believe that MacGregor tried to incite a revolt against the British at the border, by sending his men dressed and armed in the colours of your army. We were able to prevent this from happening, and I believe you should be grateful that Scotland still has a crown on its head.
Opening the saddlebag, I pulled all Roy's letters to Ravenna and they were recovered by Alistair's men.
- What's that? What's that? - he asked, taking the papers.
- The proof that I'm not lying. - I said with an ironic smile. - the seal is the coat of arms of the MacGregor's.
Phillipe opened one of the letters and started reading. As his eyes passed through the lines, his anger became more and more emblazoned on his face.
- Where's Ravenna now? - he asked.
I assumed he was reading the letter she wrote when she set up her escape.
- She was sentenced to hanging and died before I left. I hope the ring and the letters will help you help us finish off MacGregor. After all, we have an enemy in common.
- "The enemy of my enemy is my friend!" - he whispered smiling.
- Exactly!
Phillipe closed his eyes for a moment. He looked tired and I could see from his expression that he felt betrayed again. He took the ring and let out a long sigh.
- That ring was given to my father by my grandmother, whom I had received from my grandfather. I gave it to Ravenna the day we were married, because I loved her mother. - he stood up and walked towards me. - I need to deliberate with my advisors. I ask you to stay the night and have dinner with me. Tomorrow morning I'll give you my answer about everything we talked about.
- Majesty, we don't have much time. - I argued. - King MacCalister awaits our return to order the invasion of Edinburgh. We have few men for this attack to succeed and lead us to victory. I would like you to be brief, so that we have an alternative if your word is negative.
Phillipe put a hand on my shoulder. He was taller than me. His majesty led to panic, but not to me.
- One day! - he said. - I ask for a day to think about it. In the meantime, you and your husband are my guests in court in gratitude for what you have done for my people.
I'd rather have an army than a banquet, but I decided to agree. At that moment I felt that I had to be calm and patient. A soldier accompanied me to the room where Alec was waiting for me. I held him tight the moment we met. I told him everything we talked about and he agreed to wait. It was all we had left at that moment. As the day went by, I became more and more apprehensive. I almost didn't eat at dinner, so nervous I was. I was introduced to several members of the court who were commenting on my resemblance to my grandmother. At the end of the night I retired, but Alec remained at Phillipe's request. I took advantage of the silence to pray and when I realized it, sleep overcame me and I wiped out leaning against the pillows.
Chapter 26
Edinburgh Castle
A few weeks later...
Roy MacGregor was sitting at a desk in a small hall. That's where he spent most of his time thinking. He couldn't wait to find his beloved who would be here in a few days. Roy held the letter harder. He read and reread it a few more times before putting it in a box. He sighed looking at the painting he had had painted before it all began. You could remember the summer that took the Highland Mountains. There was a glow in the green eyes of the redhead who posed for the painting, but the little girl did not smile at all. Roy remembered the things he had done to wipe a little smile off his face, but it was no use and the little blonde was portrayed only with her left thumb between her lips. After all, the painting was his favorite. He fervently wished to reunite his family again.
That siege was bothering him, for things were evolving in a way contrary to what he had planned. He didn't expect that siege to last that long. Luckily, there were still provisions for many months.
